1.1 CB radio operates in the 27 MHz band and is a short range radio
service for both hobby and business use. It is designed to be used
without the need to have any technical qualifications and not to cause
interference to other radio users. Hence, only radios meeting certain
specific requirements may be used. These are detailed later in this
document.

Why
has Ofcom de-regulated the use of CB radio equipment?

1.2 One of Ofcom’s priorities is to reduce regulation
wherever possible.

1.3 The deregulation of CB radio equipment will reduce the regulatory
burden for both CB radio users and Ofcom. For CB radio users it will no
longer be necessary to contact Ofcom in order to apply for and to
subsequently maintain a CB radio licence and it will no longer be
necessary to pay for a new licence each year.

Wireless
Telegraphy (WT) Act licence exemption and regulatory issues.

1.4 From 8 December 2006, it will no longer be necessary to hold a WT
Act licence in order to operate CB radio equipment providing that such
use is consistent with the requirements of the WT (Exemption)
(Amendment) Regulations 2006, which come into force on that day. These
Regulations, on which Ofcom consulted in June 2006, exempt CB radio
equipment users from the need to hold a WT Act licence. The use of CB
radio equipment which is not consistent with these Regulations will be
an offence.

1.5 CB users share spectrum which is in a frequency band managed by the
Ministry of Defence (MOD). This use is secondary to that of the MOD
(the primary spectrum user) and it should be noted that CB users must
be prepared to accept incoming interference caused by continuing use of
this spectrum by the MOD.

1.6 Please note: users must understand that CB radio equipment shall be
operated on a 'non-interference, non-protected' basis; that is, it
shall not cause harmful interference to, and shall not claim protection
from, other radio services.

1.7 The WT (Content of Transmission) Regulations 1988 make it an
offence to use any station for wireless telegraphy or any wireless
telegraphy apparatus to send a message, communication or other matter
in whatever form that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene
or menacing character.

Equipment
requirements that must be met.

1.8 Radio equipment being used must be compliant with the UK Interface
Requirement IR 2027 and conform with the essential requirements of the
Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
(R&TTE) Directive. Equipment will have appropriate markings
such as the “CE” mark. For radio equipment placed
on the market under the type approval regime prior to 8 April 2001, the
equipment must have previously been type approved. (No type approval
certificates have been issued from that date).

1.10 CB users must ensure that they use only type approved equipment or
equipment conforming with the essential requirements of the
R&TTE Directive and in compliance with IR 2027.

1.11 In summary, CB radio equipment that has formerly been type
approved, and will necessarily comply with the minimum requirements of
the relevant UK Interface Requirement (IR 2027), may continue to be
used. Such equipment will have been type approved to MPT 1320, MPT
1333, MPT 1382 or ETS 300 135. Please note that specifications MPT 1320
(27/81 equipment) and MPT 1333 have been withdrawn but equipment type
approved to these specifications may continue to be used for the
lifetime of the equipment.

1.12 Typical marking of radio equipment that conforms with regulatory
requirements is shown below:

Specification MPT 1382 (December 1997)
26.965-27.405 MHz (CEPT or "EU")
27.60125-27.99125 MHz
or "UK" (PR 27/97)
This equipment provides the option for any combination of channels from
the "EU" or "UK" bands.

1.14 The Performance Specification MPT 1333 was withdrawn in January
1995 and no equipment type approved to that Specification is permitted
to be manufactured or imported from that date. This specification has
been superseded by ETS 300 135. 1.15 Users of equipment type approved
to either MPT 1320 or MPT 1333 may continue to use their equipment for
its foreseeable useful life.

1.16 MPT 1382 (December 1997) has been revised to permit any
combination of the existing 40 UK channels (MPT 1382) and the 40 CEPT
channels (ETS 300 135). This allows for up to a maximum of 80 channels
within one set. Equipment based on this revised specification will be
strictly for use in the UK only.

Can
I use converted equipment?

1.17 No, you may not use equipment that has been altered in any way
which may invalidate conformance with the UK Interface Requirement or
type approval certification. This includes radios that have been fitted
with proprietary conversion boards. Converted equipment may not meet
the specification and can cause interference to other radio users.

Which
modes of modulation may be used?

1.18 The use of either Frequency Modulation (FM) or Phase Modulation
(PM) is permitted, but the use of Amplitude Modulation (AM) or Single
Side-Band modulation (SSB) is not permitted because the use of these
modulation schemes greatly increases the probability of causing
interference to other radio users, to TV reception and can also result
in “breakthrough” on Hi-Fi equipment.

What
is the maximum power allowed?

1.19 The maximum transmitter RF carrier power output allowed is 4
Watts. The use of power amplifiers (often referred to as
“burners” or “boosters”) to
boost output power above the 4 Watt limit is illegal.

1.20 For equipment with an integral antenna, the maximum effective
radiated carrier power is limited to 4W.

CB
channels used in the UK

1.21 There are two sets of frequency bands allocated to CB radio in the
UK:-

EU
(CEPT) Channels

Channel

Frequency (MHz)

Channel

Frequency (MHz)

1

26.965

21

27.215

2

26.975

22

27.225

3

26.985

23

27.255

4

27.005

24

27.235

5

27.015

25

27.245

6

27.025

26

27.265

7

27.035

27

27.275

8

27.055

28

27.285

9

27.065

29

27.295

10

27.075

30

27.305

11

27.085

31

27.315

12

27.105

32

27.325

13

27.115

33

27.335

14

27.125

34

27.345

15

27.135

35

27.355

16

27.155

36

27.365

17

27.165

37

27.375

18

27.175

38

27.385

19

27.185

39

27.395

20

27.205

40

27.405

The CB
Channel Spacing in the USA (and CEPT Europe)

UK
Channels

Channel

Frequency (MHz)

Channel

Frequency (MHz)

1

27.60125

21

27.80125

2

27.61125

22

27.81125

3

27.62125

23

27.82125

4

27.63125

24

27.83125

5

27.64125

25

27.84125

6

27.65125

26

27.85125

7

27.66125

27

27.86125

8

27.67125

28

27.87125

9

27.68125

29

27.88125

10

27.69125

30

27.89125

11

27.70125

31

27.90125

12

27.71125

32

27.91125

13

27.72125

33

27.92125

14

27.73125

34

27.93125

15

27.74125

35

27.94125

16

27.75125

36

27.95125

17

27.76125

37

27.96125

18

27.77125

38

27.97125

19

27.78125

39

27.98125

20

27.79125

40

27.99125

The CB
Channel Spacing in the UK (27/81 spacing)

Is
934 MHz still available for CB use?

1.22 No. The Performance Specification MPT 1321 to which 934 MHz CB
transceivers were manufactured was withdrawn in 1988. No new sets were
manufactured from that date and no sets were imported. From 1 January
1999 the use of 934 MHz CB equipment has been prohibited.

What
about the 27/81 UK service?

1.23 MPT 1320 was withdrawn in March 1995 and replaced by a new
Specification MPT 1382. All equipment type-approved to MPT 1320 may
continue to be used for its foreseeable useful life.

2:
CB Operating Practice

Operational
and other information

2.1 It is sensible to keep to good operating
practices built up over the years of CB operation.

2.2 No one has preferential rights at any time or place or on any
channel and keeping to good operating practices should assist in
mitigating potential interference amongst users. Priority should be
given to calls for help, and in particular Channel 9 should be left
clear for emergencies and assistance only. All operators are
recommended to follow this advice and other points listed below:

Remember:

i) Be legal
Ensure that CB radio equipment is operated in accordance with the
Wireless
Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2006.

ii) Don’t cause interference
Remember that other radio services may be affected by your
transmissions.

iii) Be patient
Show patience and consideration towards other users.

iv) Be safe
Don't risk your life or anyone else's.

Interference

2.3 Although the CB service has been designed specifically to minimise
interference to other radio services, all radio transmissions can cause
problems to other users.

There are several things you can do to minimise this:

Remember:

i) Only use legal CB equipment.

ii) Don't tamper with your rig. Modifications to change the power
output or the number of channels can cause interference.
Citizens’ Band (CB) radio spectrum use –
information and operation

iii) Use the low power switch where possible.

iv) Don't transmit close to radio masts, airfields or the emergency
services; their radio could be saving a life. If your CB station is
situated within 1 km of any aerodrome, the height of the antenna and
any supporting mast or structure must not exceed 15m.

v) Don’t use your CB station on aircraft.

vi) Don’t use your CB station on ships without obtaining the
authority of the master of the vessel.

vii) Don't site your antenna near to TV reception aerials.

viii) Using a low-pass filter between your rig and antenna may help to
reduce interference.

Using
CB radio

Remember:

i) Be considerate to other users.

ii) Respect operating conventions – leave Channel 9 clear for
emergencies, Channel 14 for calling and Channel 19 for mobile use. Also
respect any local conventions regarding the use of a channel for a
specific purpose.

iii) Always give priority to emergency calls on any channel. The next
emergency call may concern you, your family or friends.

iv) If you hear a call for help and if no-one else is providing
assistance, give any help you can.

v) CB is not a substitute for the 999 (or marine VHF Channel 16)
service. There is no official organisation monitoring CB, and there may
not always be a “local volunteer” monitor listening.

vi) Before you transmit, listen with the "Squelch" control turned fully
down (i.e. background noise at a maximum). Don't barge in on existing
conversations.

vii) Where possible, keep conversations short. Don't hog channels.
Everyone has an equal right to use them.

viii) Be patient towards newcomers; everyone has to learn. Help them
with interference and other problems if you can.

ix) Be sympathetic to neighbours suffering interference to their radio
or television reception.

x) CB can be an aid to business as well as an entertaining and useful
hobby. Help others to enjoy it as much as you do.

Safety

Remember:

i) Never erect or remove an antenna near to or under electricity
transmission lines. CB users have been killed doing so. If in doubt ask
your local electricity supplier for advice.

ii) Take care at railway level crossings when driving a vehicle fitted
with a CB antenna. High antennas can touch low wires causing
electrocution so do not fit long antennas to vehicles or use any type
of long antenna for mobile operation.

iii) Use common sense when transmitting. Do not let your use of CB
interfere with your ability to drive. Do not transmit when there is
risk of an explosion, such as when you are at a petrol station.

iv) Do not transmit with the antenna less than 15cm (6 inches) from
your face. Remember that concentrated radio energy can be dangerous.

v) Emergency monitoring and Channel 9.

vi) Use Channel 9 only for emergencies and assistance.

Is
Channel 9 a "legal" emergency channel?

2.4 It is recommended that Channel 9 be left
clear for emergencies but this does not constitute a legal requirement
and is not a licence condition.

Why
isn't Channel 9 protected by law from abuse?

2.5 Volunteers do valuable work by giving up their time to monitor
Channel 9 for emergency calls and their frustration when the channel is
misused is understandable. However, legal protection for the channel is
not an easy remedy for channel abuse, because it would have to involve
effective checking and enforcement action. The cost of providing
resources on a large enough scale to do this would be disproportionate.

Do
I have to register with Ofcom to become a monitor?

2.6 No, any group or individual licensee can monitor Channel 9 or,
indeed, any other channel. No permission is needed and Ofcom does not
maintain a register of monitors.

Should
I register with the emergency services?

2.7 This is not necessary but you may like to contact the emergency
services to let them know you are there (some like to keep a list of
known CB monitors in their area) and to get any advice they may wish to
give you about the passing of emergency calls.

2.8 It is also important to get in touch with the local police if you
wish to help in incidents such as searches for lost children. Sometimes
the emergency services can be hindered rather than helped when people
turn up on the scene of an accident or search and it is therefore very
important to make sure that your efforts are properly directed.

Do
the emergency services monitor Channel 9?

2.9 Generally no. Some monitoring may be done locally by services such
as police traffic controls but this is not usually on a regular basis.
The emergency services certainly do not have sufficient resources to
undertake monitoring on anything but a small and selective scale. CB is
no alternative to the maritime emergency service, for example.

Can
I use my CB radio abroad?

2.10 You will not be permitted to use CB equipment which incorporates
the UK channels (27.60125-27.99125 MHz, i.e. UK Channels 1-40), abroad.

2.11 Use of CB equipment abroad, with EU channels only as denoted in
and based on ETS 300 135, is likely to be permitted, but prior to
travelling you must check with the administration of the country
concerned whether it may be used and whether any conditions apply.

2.12 When operating abroad, you must comply with the conditions of
authorisation of the country which you are visiting.